Campsites Closing for Idaho’s Kelly Creek Fire

An overview map of Sawtooth National Forest (red), including Sawtooth National Recreation Area (blue) and Sawtooth Wilderness (yellow). The latest fire to erupt in this region is in the red area at top of map. The Beaver Creek Fire has devastated areas near Ketchum in map’s center. Map courtesy of U.S. Forest Service.

A new fire near Featherville, Idaho, is threatening campgrounds along the Boise River.

Sawtooth National Forest officials say the Kelly Creek Fire was sparked by lightning during Saturday’s (Aug. 24) thunderstorms in the area southwest of Baumgartner Campground, KBOI-TV, Boise, reported.

Officials say the fire has grown to 285 acres and they currently have 180-200 people working on fighting it.

The fire is currently threatening campgrounds, but officials believe it will eventually threaten structures in the area as well.

The Forest Service says it plans to close the river corridor between Featherville and Baumgartner Campground starting this morning.

A pre-evacuation order goes into effect at 8 a.m. today for homes and campgrounds between Willow Creek and Skelton Creek.

The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office says deputies will go door-to-door today and to campgrounds in the area to notify people of the order.

The sheriff’s office says they are encouraging people who parked camping trailers in the area for the upcoming Labor Day weekend to remove them today.